Grand Rapids Grand Awards

The Grand Rapids Grand Awards

The 2009 Grand Awards took place on Sunday, October 4, 2009 at the Aquinas College Performing Arts Center.

Click on "Nominations" above to see Grand Award winners highlighted on the list of nominees!

What Are the Grand Awards?

Similar to the internationally-known Tony Awards, The Grand Rapids Grand Awards is a theatre awards ceremony, held annually, which honors distinguished members of the theatre community who have demonstrated outstanding skills in diverse areas of theatre. This ceremony is traditionally followed by an afterglow, where all ceremony guests are invited to enjoy food, drinks, and entertainment, as compliments for purchasing a ticket and supporting the tremendous efforts of the Combined Theater Scholarship fund. People have celebrated the Grand Awards for nearly thirteen years, and look forward to this evening of recognition, surprises, and fun!

What is the Combined Theatre Scholarship Fund?

The Combined Theatre scholarship fund was started back in 1992 through the Grand Rapids Community Foundation. Through the efforts of the Grand Awards, area theatre contributions, and donations from individuals, this fund has increased to over $120,000! Generally three awards ranging from $1,000 to $3,000 are given payable for tuition, books, fees or other expenses. A qualified applicant must be a full time student (Theatre Arts majors preferred) with experience in any participating GR community theatre or GR area college theatre program. The application deadline for the 2009 Grand Rapids Combined Theatre Scholarships has passed. Visit www.grfoundation.org OR contact the Grand Rapids Community Foundation at 616-454-1751 to request information for future scholarship opportunities.

What Types of Awards are Presented?

An average of 25 various awards are given each year to deserving college and community actors, directors, and technical designers, ranging from titles such as "Outstanding Actress in a College Production" to "Outstanding Lighting Design". On occasion, special awards are presented for merit in areas that aren’t standard categories - ranging from Original Music Composition to Hair/Wig Design. Not only this, but each year the Grand Awards Scholarship winner is recognized, as well as any scholarship winners from the Combined Theatre Scholarship Fund. It truly is an evening of deserving recognition.

The Grand Awards... Celebrating Excellence in Theatre and Supporting Students in Theatre Arts